Participating in the Past: A Feeling of ‘Them and Us’

3.1 A Feeling of ‘Them and Us’

At the most basic level, several respondents commented on archaeology’s apparent exclusiveness. The subject was seen by some to be too academic and remote, filled with jargon, snobbish, a white middle-class preserve, anti metal detectorists and generally elitist. Moreover, it was perceived as failing to reach communities within the range of ethnic backgrounds now present in the UK in a number of areas including employment, academic study, membership of local groups and personal feelings of ‘ownership’ of the heritage.

There was a strong perception that archaeologists employed within the commercial sector, where the great majority of fieldwork now takes place, whose operations take place under PPG 16 in England and its equivalents in the rest of the UK, are often reluctant or unwilling to engage with either the general public as a whole or with those who have a strong interest and much experience in local archaeology. Some spoke of professional elitism and a closed shop; there was a feeling that archaeology is ‘done by professionals for professionals’ and that professionals are no longer willing to admit or impart a sense of excitement. It was felt that the Institute of Field Archaeologist’s attitude towards amateurs is not as constructive as it might be, and that it is overly concerned with regulation from above. It was also suggested that the desire to ‘protect the heritage’ was getting out of proportion in preservation matters and fostered a desire to prevent non-professionals from undertaking any archaeological activity.

Finally the ‘traditional’ forms of presenting monuments to the visiting public were seen as off-putting to many including the young and ethnic minorities.